What causes Achilles Tendonitis?

Achilles Tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon commonly associated with overuse and degeneration.

When the Achilles tendon is overly stressed, its fibers can break down (degenerate), creating tiny tears, swelling, and thickening (stiffness). These damaged fibers can calcify (harden) over time and bone spurs can ultimately form where the tendon attaches to the heel bone. Acute injuries to the Achilles tendon most often result when a person with acute, or chronic, maladapted, neuromuscular foot function makes sharp sudden movements with their feet, as they quickly speed up, slow down, or pivot.

 Solutions

The best way to prevent and treat Achilles Tendonitis is to eliminate the excessive foot movement caused by the collapsing arches and to use footwear that is soft, flexible, and roomier in the forefoot.

Conventional treatment methods for Achilles Tendonitis

Since the late 1890s, the standard treatment for over-pronation (collapsing arches) has been to artificially support the arches with an orthotic. Other conventional treatment options include:

• Therapeutic exercise
• Supportive products such as orthotics
• Taping/bracing
• Foam rolling
• Massage
• Injections
• Therapeutic ultrasound, laser, electro-therapy, and shock-wave therapy to address fibrotic tissue

Modern science has transitioned away from using long-term support on any body part because it causes a progressive weakening of the body part being supported.

The modern approach to treating Achilles Tendonitis

Science has shown that merely challenging the body to “do its job” is the best way to restore and enhance function.

The modern approach to address poor neuromuscular function is to employ a “Proper Technique” rehabilitative therapy to regain healthy function. This approach is extensively used pre- and post-surgery and is also the foundation of virtually all sports training/rehabilitation programs. By employing a therapeutic approach, the feet become stronger and more stable, thereby addressing the cause of the collapsing arches that contribute to Achilles Tendonitis.

Proper Technique therapies employ exercise that focuses on safely training healthy neuromuscular function, i.e., optimal mobility, muscle strength, stability, and alignment.

Proper Technique therapies require both Right Stimulus and Right Movement.

Right Stimulus occurs when the information that the brain receives from the senses triggers an efficient protective reflex function or Right Movement. The nerve endings in the soles of the feet play a critical role in providing the brain with the information required for optimal Right Movement throughout the feet, legs, hips, and back. When the brain receives insufficient or inaccurate information from the soles of the feet, the protective reflex function Right Movement will be ineffective or absent altogether. This is what happens when conventional footwear is worn. For more information on Right Stimulus and Right Movement, click HERE.

To therapeutically address the cause of oversupination and to prevent it from reoccurring, do the following:

• Walk barefoot on natural terrain as much as possible. This provides the optimal Right Stimulus and allows for the Right Movement required for healthy neuromuscular function.
• Use Biopods^® Stimsoles^® Footwear or Insoles. Biopods Footwear provides the ultimate Proper Technique shoe environment. Biopods Insoles improve the stimulus in your conventional footwear. Use in loosely laced, soft, flexible footwear with ample toe room that allows your arches and toes to rise easily for best results.
• Consult with your healthcare practitioner to ask about employing soft tissue mobilization therapies to address the fibrotic scar tissue that may have formed prior to using Biopods.

For more information on what to expect when using Biopods, click HERE.